Full-cast contemporary dramatisations of Jules Verne’s best-known works, plus bonus programme about his life and work

Often referred to as the father of science fiction, Victorian author Jules Verne is renowned for his fantastical adventures imagining extraordinary voyages to strange new horizons. Prolific and prophetic, he wrote over 50 novels and numerous short stories, in which he foretold the skyscraper, the submarine, space missions and even the Internet. Featured here are contemporary adaptations of four of his most famous tales, as well as a special episode of The Forum examining the long-lasting appeal of his work.

These full-cast dramatisations feature a stellar line-up including Jim Broadbent, Leslie Phillips, Sagar Arya, Joel MacCormack, Stephen Critchlow, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Neil McCaul, Madeline Hatt, David Seddon, Yves Aubert, Nathan Osgood, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong and Kerry Gooderson.

Journey to the Centre of the Earth – Renowned professor Otto Lidenbrock and his nephew Axel decipher a mysterious cryptogram telling of a pathway to the earth’s core. Determined to find out if such a journey is possible, the intrepid explorers and their guide, Hans, venture into the heart of a dormant Icelandic volcano, where shocks, perils and amazing discoveries await.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea – On the hunt for a terrifying sea monster that has been attacking ships, marine scientist Professor Aronnax and his stowaway daughter Connie join whaler Ned Land aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. But what they find is no monster, it’s a submarine: the Nautilus, piloted by the mysterious Captain Nemo…

Around the World in Eighty Days – Risking his fortune, eccentric gentleman Phileas Fogg makes a bet that he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days. Accompanied by his new valet, Passepartout, he sets off on a headlong race – pursued by the energetic Sergeant Fix, who is convinced Fogg is the bank robber he’s seeking. With the clock ticking, can Phileas make it back to the Reform Club in time?

The Mysterious Island – Escaping the American Civil War, military engineer Cyrus Smith, his freed slave Neb, and reporter Grace Spilett steal an observation balloon. Following a violent storm, it crashes near a seemingly deserted Pacific island: but the castaways soon realise that they are not alone…

The Forum: 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas – Jules Verne’s classic novel is one of the most translated works in publishing history (and yes, the original French title does have the plural 'seas'). Talking to authors, academics and members of the Société Jules Verne, Rajan Datar finds out what makes this boys’ own adventure tale so popular.

First published 1864 (Journey to the Centre of the Earth), 1870 (Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea), 1872 (Around the World in Eighty Days), 1874 (The Mysterious Island)

Cast and credits

Written by Jules Verne

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Cast: Joel MacCormack, Stephen Critchlow, Gudmundur Thorvaldsson, Nicola Ferguson, Elizabeth Bennett, Nick Underwood, Sam Rix, Tom Forrister, Scarlett Brookes

Dramatised by Moya O’Shea

Directed by Tracey Neale

Composer: Neil Brand

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Cast: Sagar Arya, Neil McCaul, Madeline Hatt, David Seddon, Philip Bretherton

Dramatised by Gregory Evans

Directed by Marc Beeby

Around the World in Eighty Days

Cast: Leslie Phillips, Yves Aubert, Jim Broadbent, Ronald Fraser, Ronald Herdman, John Church, Mark Straker, Terence Edmond, Nicholas Murchie, Joanna Myers, Jonathan Adams, Diana Quick, Garard Green, Lyndham Gregory, William Hootkins, Peter Marinker

Dramatised by Terry James

Directed by Janet Whitaker

Original music by Wilfredo Acosta

The Mysterious Island

Cast: Nathan Osgood, Kerry Gooderson, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Rupert Holliday Evans, Sagar Arya

Dramatised by Gregory Evans

Directed by Marc Beeby

The Forum: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas

Presented by Rajan Datar

With Marie-Helene Huet, Laurence Sudret, Jean-Michel Margot and Terry Harpold